BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST Luke 1:5-25 Harrold Steward

Dr Luke devotes the opening chapters of his gospel to the miraculous births of John the baptist, Christ’s Forerunner, and of our Savior Himself. I am glad that the Spirit of God allowed a physician to describe these supernatural births, giving details that only a medical practitioner would note. Let’s consider the birth of John.

Zechariah means ‘remembered by Jehovah’ and is fitting for one who longed for a son to succeed him in his ministry. God certainly fulfilled the truth locked into his name. Abijah, or God is my father, was the priestly order from which Zechariah came. His beautiful wife, Elisabeth, the oath of God, was also descended from the daughters of Aaron, Moses’ brother. What credentials for a childless couple. ( v5)

Husband and wife were godly in character, as Luke wrote ‘They were both righteous before God, walking blameless in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord .

( v6) Through centuries our God has chosen fathera and mothers to train his finest servants. Billy Graham grew on a North Carolina milk farm with noble, Christ-loving parents. His father prayed that God would touch the world through his son. Billy preached Christ to greater numbers than any other preacher. Zechariah and Elisabeth were chosen to train this fiery revivalist, John the Baptist. Whom are you training?

They sorrowed that God had withheld from them the joy of a family. ( v7). As the years had advanced, hope of a child had faded. Child-bearing commences at puberty tapering off prior to the menopause, about half of the normal life-span of a woman.

How can the mighty God answer the yearning prayers of a godly man and woman?

Israel’s spiritual drought demanded courageous preaching, calling the nation to purity and righteousness. Prayer was God’s foundation for His power to flow. In verse 9,Zechariah went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense, the Old Testament procedure, supporting the ascent of prayer. More than that,, ‘the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.( v10) God’s eternal, invariable nature works when His people cry out to Him. We must rediscover this important truth in personal, family, church and national life. I diagnose this as a deficiency disease among God’s children. Beri-beri!

Then a miraculous appearance of the angel Gabriel, standing at the right side of the altar of incense, gripped the priest.( v11) God’s plan was world evangelisation. Little wonder that ‘ when Zechariah saw .him, he was troubled, and reverent fear fell upon him.’( v12) How would you react? The same way.

The angel spoke in Hebrew or Aramaic positive, consoling words, ‘ Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elisabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name, John ( Jehovah is a gracious Giver). ‘ ( v13) Despite the fading of reproductive processes, God was in complete control. He would give them a son. Did Zechariah catch his breath as he thought of all involved in such a promise?

‘You will have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth’ ( v14). ‘He will be great in the sight of the Lord., and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink.’ He would be a man of sober habits, highly regarded byGod, and his coming would cause many to rejoice. The angel staggered Zechariah with the next promise,’ He shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.’ This contrasted with the Holy Spirit coming on the judges ( from the book bearing that name ). Now, John the Baptist would be filled with the eternal spirit during his development in Elisabeth’s womb. Amazing! God had planned a Forerunner for His own beloved Son.

Gabriel continued, ‘ He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.’ He will also go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah….he will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.( v17) ’ Israel had waited 400 years for the coming of this mighty prophet. Zechariah’s heart must have burst with excitement at the news.

Zechariah protested, ‘How shall I know this. For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.’ ( v18) Conception seemed impossible. How could God promise such? In my book, ’A doctor looks at the bible’, I described the physiological, anatomical, hormonal as well as the emotional changes essential for an elderly couple to resume intercourse, conceive, carry a babe 40 weeks, and then deliver a healthy infant, and have a normal post-partum period, and then nurse the newborn for the minimum of nine or twelve months. Heaven understands our embarrassing weaknesses.

Gabriel presented his credentials to the surprised priest, ’ I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you, and bring you these glad tidings.’ ( v19) . Gabriel had no doubt. However, he added a solemn charge from the throne of God, ‘ You will be mute, and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which shall be fulfilled in their own time.’

Failure to believe is a grievous sin before God. Zechariah was dumb until the whole marvellous series of events had been completed. God judged his priest., and later mercifully lifted the speech impediment. He controls His universe.

The crowd waited for the priest to retire, marvelling that he lingered so long in the temple. They understood that he had seen a vision, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. ( v21, 22 ) What a secret he carried in his heart, which he could not share except with his wife Elisabeth, When his rostered duties were completed, relieved, excited, expecting, and dumb, he retired to his own home.

The miracle followed, for Elisabeth became pregnant. How did her husband tell her all that had happened in the angel’s visit. ( v24 ) We understand how she retired from community life during those first five months, until quickening occurred and she knew she was half way through her pregnancy. She noted all the other changes of pregnancy, daily confirming the coming of the forerunner. Excitement ran high during the weeks of anticipation. What a confirmation of Gabriel’s visit, and the heavenly message.

She was ecstatic as she spoke, ‘ The Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach ( shame, taunts of men, and disgrace at childlessness ) among men. ‘ ( v25 ) God has had dealings with us; He has looked on us compassionately; He has removed the shame of our rebellious, unconverted state when He saved us. We understand Elisabeth’s delight.

Dr Luke recorded the great moment for this noble woman, ‘ Elisabeth’s full time came to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbours and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.’ ( v57,58 )

Every babe is more than a single miracle, rather a series of divinely – controlled, marvellously-ordered developments. This child was special to mother and father – and to God . He was the herald of the Messiah.

John was circumcised on his eighth day, where medical evidence for clotting is at its peak. His father wrote his name as John. ( v63) ‘ Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke praising God. ‘ ( v64) . ‘Fear came on them. What kind of child will this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him.( v66) . God preserved this account of the birth of the long-awaited John the Baptist.

Harrold Steward feel free to call Harrold hgsteward@cobweb.com.au